# P0014: "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) **Verdict:** Drive to a shop this week Camshaft timing - Generic OBD-II code, applies to all gasoline cars and light trucks sold in the US since 1996. - **Typical cost:** $80-$2,500 - **Urgency:** This week - **Most likely:** Oil problem or sticking exhaust cam solenoid - **DIY?:** Steps 1-2 ## Quick answer P0014 means the "B" camshaft on bank 1, usually the exhaust cam, is more advanced than the engine computer wants or is not moving as commanded. Because the system runs on oil pressure, oil problems top the list, followed by a sticking solenoid or a worn phaser. ## What does P0014 mean? The "B" camshaft on bank 1, which is the exhaust cam on most engines, is turned by an oil-driven phaser. An oil control solenoid meters oil into the phaser on command, and a camshaft position sensor tells the computer where the exhaust cam actually is. Varying exhaust cam timing helps control emissions, idle quality and power across the rev range. P0014 sets when the actual exhaust cam angle stays more advanced than the target, or does not follow commands closely enough, for longer than the computer allows. The test usually runs on a warm engine while the computer is moving the cam, and many makers need the fault on two drive cycles before lighting the check engine lamp. Unlike P0013, the electrical circuit has tested good, so the problem is mechanical or hydraulic. "B" means exhaust, right or rear under SAE J2012, and bank 1 is the side with cylinder 1. ## What are the symptoms of P0014? - Check engine light on - Rough idle or stalling when stopping - Hard starting on some engines - Less power and worse fuel economy ## What causes P0014? Ranked from most to least likely. Check them in this order: the cheap, common causes first. 1. **Low, dirty or wrong-grade engine oil** (most common). Sludge, low oil and oil of the wrong viscosity slow the exhaust cam phaser so it cannot reach or hold its target angle. Engines driven mostly on short trips, or with stretched oil change intervals, are the most affected. Check the dipstick level, the oil's condition and the oil change sticker before testing any parts. 2. **Sticking exhaust cam timing solenoid** (common). The spool valve inside the exhaust cam solenoid can stick open from debris or varnish, keeping oil flowing to the advance side of the phaser. Because the coil may still read in spec, a resistance test alone can miss it. Commanding the solenoid with a scan tool and watching actual cam angle shows whether it really responds. 3. **Faulty exhaust cam phaser** (less common). A worn exhaust cam phaser or a stuck lock pin keeps the cam from returning to its rest position, so the computer sees it out of place. This is more common at high mileage or after oil neglect. Some engines rattle briefly at cold start when this happens, before oil pressure builds and holds the phaser steady. 4. **Timing chain stretch or a mis-installed timing job** (rare). If the code appeared right after timing belt or chain work, the exhaust cam may be installed one tooth off. Chain stretch from age and poor oil maintenance can also shift cam timing far enough to set P0014. Stretch usually brings P0016 or P0017 along, and a shop confirms it by checking the timing marks. ## How do you diagnose P0014? 1. Check oil level and condition, and confirm the correct viscosity is in the engine. 2. Read all codes, and note any cam/crank correlation codes such as P0016 or P0017. 3. Watch exhaust cam desired versus actual angle on a scan tool while commanding the solenoid. 4. Pull the solenoid and check it for sludge or debris; apply 12 volts briefly to hear it click. 5. If the parts above are good, a shop verifies mechanical timing with the timing marks. ## How do you fix P0014, and what does it cost? | Fix | Typical cost | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Oil and filter change with the correct oil | $80-$150 | Often clears the problem if the oil was low or overdue. | | Replace the exhaust cam timing solenoid | $150-$450 | Fixes a solenoid that sticks or responds slowly. | | Replace the exhaust cam phaser and timing parts | $900-$2,500 | Needed when the phaser is worn or the chain has stretched. | Full price breakdowns: [oil change cost](/cost/oil-change), [timing chain replacement cost](/cost/timing-chain-replacement). ## Is it safe to drive with P0014? > **Drive to a shop this week.** Generally safe for short trips once the oil level is correct. Stop and have it towed if the engine knocks, rattles loudly or stalls repeatedly. ## Will P0014 fail an emissions test? With P0014 set, the check engine light is on, so the car fails an OBD-II emissions test in most states. Clearing the code after a repair resets every readiness monitor, and inspection stations reject cars with too many incomplete. Drive normally for several days, then confirm with a scan tool that the monitors read ready before you go. ## After the repair: clearing P0014 Clear the code after the oil change or solenoid replacement, then drive with the engine fully warm through stop-and-go traffic and steady cruising so the exhaust cam is commanded to move. Watch exhaust cam desired and actual angle on a scan tool; they should match closely. No pending code after several drive cycles means the fix held. ## How to prevent P0014 - Change the oil and filter on time; sludge is a leading cause of sticking cam solenoids. - Use only the viscosity specified for your engine, especially in very hot or cold climates. - Top up oil between changes if your engine is known to use some oil. - Use a shop that verifies cam timing marks before closing up after any timing work. - Pay attention to startup rattles; they can signal phaser or chain wear early. ## Codes often seen with P0014 - [P0013](/codes/p0013): "B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1) - [P0011](/codes/p0011): "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1) - [P0016](/codes/p0016): Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A) - [P0341](/codes/p0341): Camshaft Position Sensor "A" Circuit Range/Performance (Bank 1 or Single Sensor) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the most common fix for P0014? An oil change with the correct oil, or a new exhaust cam solenoid, fixes most P0014 codes. Start with the oil because it is cheap and often the root cause, then clear the code and drive a few days. Replace the solenoid if the code returns and it fails a scan tool command test. ### Can P0014 cause a no-start? It can make starting harder, but a complete no-start is uncommon. If the exhaust cam is stuck far advanced, the engine may crank longer, idle roughly or stall right after starting. A true no-start along with P0014 points to a bigger timing problem, such as a jumped chain, that needs a shop. ### Is P0014 the same as P0011? No, P0011 is for the intake ("A") cam and P0014 is for the exhaust ("B") cam on bank 1. The causes are similar, but the solenoid you test and replace is different. Both codes can appear together when the oil is low or sludged, since one oil supply feeds both phasers. ### Can I drive with P0014? Yes, for short trips in most cases, once the oil level is correct. Expect a rough idle and lower fuel economy. Stop driving and have the car towed if the engine knocks, rattles loudly or stalls repeatedly, because those signs can mean a timing chain problem that could damage the engine. ### How much does it cost to fix P0014? Most P0014 repairs cost $80-$2,500 at an independent shop. An oil and filter change is $80-$150, an exhaust cam solenoid $150-$450, and a phaser or timing chain job $900-$2,500. The cheap fixes solve many cases, so do them in order and recheck before moving on to timing parts. ### Can I test the exhaust cam solenoid myself? Yes, with care. Unplug it, measure coil resistance with a multimeter and compare it with the factory spec. Off the engine, briefly applying battery voltage through fused leads should make the valve click and move freely. Also look for sludge or metal bits on its screen, which point to an oil problem. ### Can P0014 come back after replacing the solenoid? Yes, if the solenoid was not the real cause. Sludged oil can jam a new solenoid quickly, and a worn phaser or stretched chain will set the code again no matter which solenoid is fitted. Change the oil first, then recheck cam angle data on a scan tool before buying more parts. ### Is P0014 related to timing chain stretch? Sometimes. Chain stretch shifts cam timing and can set P0014, but it usually also sets P0016 or P0017 because the cam and crank no longer line up. If you hear rattling from the timing cover along with these codes, have the chain and guides inspected before the chain has a chance to jump. ### Does P0014 hurt fuel economy? Yes, usually a little. When the exhaust cam cannot reach its target, the engine runs less efficiently and the computer may limit timing changes. Most drivers notice a rough idle or weaker acceleration before they notice the mileage drop. Fixing the cause restores normal economy in most cases. ### Will P0014 pass an emissions test? No, not in states that use OBD-II testing, because the check engine light is on. After fixing it, clearing the code resets the readiness monitors. Drive several days of mixed city and highway trips, then check that the monitors are ready before returning for the test. ## Sources - [SAE J2012: Diagnostic Trouble Code Definitions](https://www.sae.org/standards/content/j2012_201812/) ## Other camshaft timing codes - [P0010 "A" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0010) - [P0011 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0011) - [P0012 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0012) - [P0013 "B" Camshaft Position Actuator Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0013) - [P0015 "B" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Retarded (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0015) - [P0016 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor A)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0016) - [P0017 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 1 Sensor B)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0017) - [P0018 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor A)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0018) - [P0019 Crankshaft Position - Camshaft Position Correlation (Bank 2 Sensor B)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0019) - [P0021 "A" Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced or System Performance (Bank 2)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0021) - [P0365 Camshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit (Bank 1)](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0365) - [P0521 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit Range/Performance](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0521) - [P0523 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit High](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0523) - [P0524 Engine Oil Pressure Too Low](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0524) ## Symptoms - [Why is my car idling rough?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/rough-idle) - [Why does my car stall while driving?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-stalls-while-driving) ## Repair costs - [Oil change cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/oil-change): $45-$150 - [Timing chain replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/timing-chain-replacement): $1,200-$3,500 --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0014 Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.